US5597995A — Automated medical prescription fulfillment system…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 288 words

A pharmacy system for automating the medical prescription fulfillment process for a customer, comprising: a) an imaging work station including a host computer for receiving data entry of an original medical prescription for a prescribed drug product and customer information and for producing a prescription transaction data record; a first computer electronically connected to said host computer and including an image scanner for creating a digitized image of said original medical prescription; a first printer for printing a prescription label for applying to a drug vial for receiving a dispensed drug product; a second printer for printing a bar code label for applying to said drug vial; and means for communicating said prescription transaction data record from said host computer to said first computer; b) a filling work station having a second computer electronically connected to said first computer at said imaging work station and further including dispensing means for counting, dispensing, and packaging of said dispensed drug product into said drug vial for the customer, and said second computer for controlling said dispensing means; and c) a checking work station having a third computer electronically connected to said second computer at said filling work station and including a scanner for scanning said bar code label on said drug vial, and a display for displaying said digitized image of said original medical prescription, and for displaying a digitized image of said prescribed drug product to allow a first visual comparison between said digitized image of said prescribed drug product and said dispensed drug product in said drug vial, and a second visual comparison between said digitized image of said original medical prescription and said dispensed drug product in said drug vial before it is given to the customer.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 288 words

A pharmacy system for automating the medical prescription fulfillment process for a customer, comprising: a) an imaging work station including a host computer for receiving data entry of an original medical prescription for a prescribed drug product and customer information and for producing a prescription transaction data record; a first computer electronically connected to said host computer and including an image scanner for creating a digitized image of said original medical prescription; a first printer for printing a prescription label for applying to a drug vial for receiving a dispensed drug product; a second printer for printing a bar code label for applying to said drug vial; and means for communicating said prescription transaction data record from said host computer to said first computer; b) a filling work station having a second computer electronically connected to said first computer at said imaging work station and further including dispensing means for counting, dispensing, and packaging of said dispensed drug product into said drug vial for the customer, and said second computer for controlling said dispensing means; and c) a checking work station having a third computer electronically connected to said second computer at said filling work station and including a scanner for scanning said bar code label on said drug vial, and a display for displaying said digitized image of said original medical prescription, and for displaying a digitized image of said prescribed drug product to allow a first visual comparison between said digitized image of said prescribed drug product and said dispensed drug product in said drug vial, and a second visual comparison between said digitized image of said original medical prescription and said dispensed drug product in said drug vial before it is given to the customer.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 36 words

A pharmacy system in accordance with claim 1, further including a packaging work station having a holding station which includes a plurality of holding compartments for packaging of said dispensed drug product for said customer's use.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 43 words

A pharmacy system in accordance with claim 2, wherein said checking work station further includes a will-call work station having a plurality of compartments for holding in-process prescriptions and filled prescriptions until they are taken from said checking work station to the customer.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 33 words

A pharmacy system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said imaging work station further includes a monitor for displaying said transaction data record and database storage means for storing said transaction data record.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 26 words

A pharmacy system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said imaging work station further includes a portable bar code scanner for scanning said bar code label.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 36 words

A pharmacy system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said image scanner includes a keyboard, a scanner screen, a scanner receiver, and database storage means for retention of said digitized image of said original medical prescription.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 35 words

A pharmacy system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said filling work station further includes a portable bar code scanner for scanning said bar code label and actuating a preselected dispensing unit in response thereto.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 57 words

A pharmacy system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said dispensing means includes a plurality of dispensing carousels having a plurality of movable shelves for holding bottles of drug products within said dispensing carousels, a plurality of counting devices electronically connected to said dispensing carousels, and a plurality of weighing scales electronically connected to said dispensing carousels.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 41 words

A pharmacy system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said dispensing means includes a plurality of dispenser-holding cells each having an internal counter and drop chutes attached thereto for automatically counting and dispensing of said drug product into said drug vial.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 43 words

A pharmacy system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said dispensing means includes a plurality of dispenser-holding cassettes each having a plurality of cassette counters with drop chutes attached thereto for automatically counting and dispensing of said drug product into said drug vial.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 218 words

A pharmacy system for automating the medical prescription fulfillment process for a customer, comprising the steps of: a) at an imaging work station having a host computer, entering into said host computer an original medical prescription for a prescribed drug product and customer information and producing a prescription transaction data record; creating a digitized image of said original medical prescription using an image scanner; printing a prescription label for applying to a drug vial for receiving a dispensed drug product; and printing a bar code label for applying to said drug vial; b) at a filling work station located adjacent to said imaging work station, counting, dispensing and packaging of said dispensed drug product into said drug vial for the customer; and c) at a checking work station located adjacent to said filling work station, scanning said bar code label on said drug vial, and displaying said digitized image of said original medical prescription, and displaying a digitized image of said prescribed drug product to allow a first visual comparison between said digitized image of said prescribed drug product and said dispensed drug product in said drug vial, and a second visual comparison between said digitized image of said original medical prescription and said dispensed drug product in said drug vial before it is given to the customer.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 218 words

A pharmacy system for automating the medical prescription fulfillment process for a customer, comprising the steps of: a) at an imaging work station having a host computer, entering into said host computer an original medical prescription for a prescribed drug product and customer information and producing a prescription transaction data record; creating a digitized image of said original medical prescription using an image scanner; printing a prescription label for applying to a drug vial for receiving a dispensed drug product; and printing a bar code label for applying to said drug vial; b) at a filling work station located adjacent to said imaging work station, counting, dispensing and packaging of said dispensed drug product into said drug vial for the customer; and c) at a checking work station located adjacent to said filling work station, scanning said bar code label on said drug vial, and displaying said digitized image of said original medical prescription, and displaying a digitized image of said prescribed drug product to allow a first visual comparison between said digitized image of said prescribed drug product and said dispensed drug product in said drug vial, and a second visual comparison between said digitized image of said original medical prescription and said dispensed drug product in said drug vial before it is given to the customer.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 20 words

A pharmacy system in accordance with claim 11, further including the step of printing bag labels and drug information labels.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 27 words

A pharmacy system in accordance with claim 11, further including the steps of moving, labeling, bagging, and holding said prescribed drug product at a packaging work station.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2000-01-28	2000-07-29	2001-01-28	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2004-01-28	2004-07-29	2005-01-28	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2008-01-28	2008-07-29	2009-01-28	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Automated medical prescription fulfillment system having work stations for imaging, filling, and checking the dispensed drug product

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